How to Create a Classroom Community in the First Weeks of School

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Show Notes:

When starting a new school year, teachers have so much on their minds and a to-do list a million miles long. They’re concerned about setting up their classroom, seating arrangements, how they’re going to teach their procedures, routines, and expectations, and their first lessons to gauge where their students are academically. And while all of those things are important, teachers often miss planning for the one thing that will be the difference between dreading the rest of the school year and looking forward to the rest of the school year, which is building a class community.

Oftentimes, when you observe a veteran teacher’s classroom, yes, you’ll notice a well-oiled machine for classroom management, but you’ll also see genuine happiness, care, and respect among everyone in the classroom. This is due to the work of building a classroom community at the beginning of the year. But let’s be clear, this doesn’t happen overnight or magically one day. Instead, a well-crafted classroom community is built intentionally, strategically, and thoughtfully on respect, kindness, high expectations, care, and consistency, in which you are the leader.

Even though I’d love to spend hours on this topic and give you all the resources you’ll need as I do in the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy, today’s episode is still going to be a goldmine of information where I provide you a structure and items to think about during your first few weeks of school. Therefore, I’m going to share five ways you can create a positive classroom community at the beginning of the school year. Each of the five strategies asks you to be intentional about getting to know your students, being open about sharing information about yourself, and saying positive affirmations that celebrate the uniqueness of each of your students.

The strategies I provide will help you develop genuine relationships with your students, which will increase student motivation and engagement and improve classroom management. So, if you’re ready to build a classroom community and see the benefits of a positive class culture all year long, be sure to implement my five strategies in the first few weeks of your new school year.

Inside this week's show, you'll learn:

• 5 ways to build classroom community while still teaching your procedures, routines, and expectations 
• Reasons why your students might not positively respond to the praise you’re giving and how to change that
• How a positive classroom community benefits your students and classroom management in other ways 
• Activities and action steps to take with each five strategies for building classroom community that are simple and easy to implement in the first few weeks of school
• Ways I can help and support you more with building a positive classroom community through the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club

Links & resources mentioned inside this episode: 

• Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary
• Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset
• New Masterclass - How to Get Ready For the School Year in 5 Weeks or Less
• Follow Dr. Lori on Instagram
• Follow Dr. Lori on Facebook
• Follow Beginning Teacher Talk on TikTok

I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for your first, second, or third year of teaching. Until next time, remember, just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast Beginning Teacher Talk and author of Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com.

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Related episodes you might enjoy:

• How to Establish Your Classroom Management Plan at the Beginning of the School Year
• 10 Fantastic First-Week-of-School Activities: Teach Your Expectations & Create a Caring Classroom Community
• Create a Caring Classroom Community in the First Week of School (Even When Social Distancing)
• 4 Ways to Create a Classroom Community that Loves Reading

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